Seven Tips for Biking Safely with Vehicles on the Road
In 2016, the Department of Transportation National Highway Safety Traffic Administration reported 840 bicycle fatalities nationwide, most of them from motor vehicle collisions.
How can you maximize your safety while biking? At Subaru/Volkswagen Of Beechmont, in Cincinnati, OH we want to help you have a smooth and safe ride by following these seven tips.
1. Pick a bike that fits you. For tooling around town, consider a hybrid, comfort or road bike. Weekend warriors and long-distance bikers will be interested in a touring, sport or racing bike. The right-sized two-wheeler should provide one to two inches of clearance, called standover height, between you and the top tube. Going off road? A mountain bike—with wider tires and lot of gears—is for you. You’ll need five inches of standover height. Saddle height and crank length are two other factors to consider.
2. Protect your noggin with the right helmet. According to the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety, wearing a helmet reduces the odds of a head injury by 50% and a face or neck injury by 33%. Properly fitted, the helmet and straps should be snug around your head and chin, with a two-finger-width space between the brim and your eyebrows.
3. Be seen to be safe. Whether biking in the day or evening, wear bright clothing with reflective tape or markings. Every state requires a white light mounted on the front of a bike and a reflector or red light on the back if riding at night or in limited visibility conditions.
4. Do the “ABC quick check” to keep your bike in good condition. A is for “air.” Using the PSI listed on the tires, check tire pressure before starting your ride.
B is for “brakes.” When pressing the hand brakes, the levers should be at least a thumb’s width from the handlebars. When the brakes are off, the wheels should spin without interference from the brake pads.
C is for “cranks, chain and cassette.” Consult a bike diagram to learn their location and function. Grab both crank arms and wiggle them to make sure they’re tight. Next, spin the bike pedals to see if the chain runs smoothly through the cassette, which is the stack of gears (cogs) mounted on the right side of a bike’s rear wheel.
“Quick” is for bikes with quick-release levers, which are located on the outside of the wheels at the hub. Make sure the levers are in the closed position and feel tight as you push them in toward the wheel.
Always check to ensure there are no loose parts on your bike and keep your bike tuned up.
5. Follow the rules of the road or trail. Know your local and state bicycle laws. When on the road, obey vehicle traffic rules and signals. Bike with traffic—not against it—to see the correct signs and signals, and to lower your risk of colliding with turning vehicles. Use proper hand signals to indicate when you’re turning or stopping.
Before switching lanes, glance back to make sure you’re clear of cars, and make eye contact with drivers when necessary. Ride single file with adequate spacing between you and other bikers.
Whether on a roadway or trail, use a bike bell or say “on your left” when passing another. Bikers must always yield to pedestrians and equestrians.
6. Ride defensively. Before leaving driveways or crossing roads, look for turning vehicles and be aware that an approaching motorist may be driving with a turn signal on accidentally. Keep your head up and scan ahead. To keep tabs on what’s behind you, consider purchasing a clip-on rear view mirror for your helmet.
Be on the lookout when riding past parked vehicles where a door may suddenly open or a driver may pull away from the curb. Watch for exhaust, brake or back-up lights, and signal indicators. And, remember, in the age of electric vehicles, just because you can’t hear a vehicle, doesn’t mean there’s not one near you.
7. Use common sense. Keep both hands on the handlebars and both feet on the bike pedals.
Avoid road hazards, such as loose gravel, glass, debris, drain grates, or other slippery surfaces.
Consider an alternative route to your destination when main roads are busy and during peak traffic times, or ride at a less frenetic time.
Skip the headphones. You may not be able to hear what’s happening around you or could be distracted.
Follow this guide and enjoy the ride!
Subaru/Volkswagen Of Beechmont, 8021 Beechmont Avenue, Cincinnati, OH, 45255
Sources: NHTSA and Forbes
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